This audio is part of the collection: Old Time Radio
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Keywords: Fat Man; old time radio

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Files donated by Bert Szoghy

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Reviewer: Jonnie King - - February 4, 2013
Subject: ONE OF THE BEST !
"The Fat Man" was always one of my favorites. J.Scott Smart was perfectly cast in the title role, and the "stock company" of actors that surrounded him were spot-on.

If you're not familiar with the show, the American Version, with Smart, starts in this Archive at #23. The prior Episodes are from the Australian Version. (Sadly, the Aussie Episodes are not done well.)

ALSO, here on the Internet Archives Site, make sure you see "The Fat Man" Movie ! Smart stars in it, as well as a young Rock Hudson. Plus, one of my all-time "Dream Girls": Julie London.

This young version of Julie is delicious as always, Hudson does a good job, and, Smart handles himself well throughout. Enjoy !

Reviewer: Charlie Heinz - - October 31, 2012
Subject: Australian Fat Man Radio
This has to be the Australian version that started in 1955 for 52 episodes. It stars Lloyd Barrell. Am I right, folks?

Reviewer: qrper - - May 18, 2012
Subject: The American Version
The American version far superior. The intro especially. The theme music is "fat", J Scott Smart's voice is "fat" but at 237 pounds he wouldn't even be considered plump in today's world. Sorry more of those episodes are not available.

Reviewer: Max Reiner - - May 15, 2012
Subject: Fat Man Production
Brad Runyon has wee bit of an English accent but uses hard Yankee "r"s, too. The Brit series announcer has been edited out in many of the Archive shows. Show has very few sound effects, other than a door knock. However there are no door open and close effects. I like the music bridges. Don't sound like MUTEL. Wonder whose. Nicely full symphonic renditions. Some actors have Brit accents, others don't. Brad Runyon's touch guy talk comes off as a bit of a petulant dandy at times. Overall, a listenable show. Thanks for sharing.

Reviewer: samking73 - - September 22, 2010
Subject: American episodes
I agree the American version with J. Scott Smart are by far the better shows. it doesnt seem like there are that many of these American version around but i love how Smaaaart taaaalks

Reviewer: nenslo - - January 24, 2010
Subject: Australian vs. American Episodes
It should be noted that most of these episodes are from the Australian version. I find the American versions superior - the earliest episodes are said to have been written by Hammett, who created the character for radio. The Aussie shows are sometimes rather flat and talky, with native accents coming through, making their attempts at Americanisms a bit bizarre. The American shows are the last ones in the list here: Murder Wins the Draw, The Black Angel, An Unfamiliar Face, Rents a Flat/Crooked Horse (two episodes in one file), Order for Murder, 19th Pearl, and Nightmare Murder.

Reviewer: johnmmc - - April 26, 2009
Subject: Many thanks
My sincerest thanks to Mr. Szogy (sp?) and to the Internet Archive for making this and so many other old radio mysteries available. "The Fat Man" is before my time, like so many others but not all, so it is gratifying to hear these programs of which I've heard but, until now, have not been able to enjoy.
The lead man has a maginficent radio voice, and the writing is superb. Now if you could only get "The Shadow" back ... .
[4-25-09: Toward end of "Death Plays the Horses" recording is stuck, which prevents episode from reaching its end.]

Reviewer: soceur - - April 16, 2009
Subject: Low volumn on The Fat Man
Excellent radio show. Except the volumn was low. Great to be able to hear these excellent programs.

Reviewer: justaskmike - - December 8, 2007
Subject: fat man episodes missing opening
In doing a quick check of the episodes you have available, many are missing the original opening and the Tums commercial "Tums for the Tummy." I recall the opening of a sultry woman's voice saying "There he goes..into that drugstore. He's stepping onto the scale. Weight 237 lbs. Fortune: Danger." Brad Runyon came to say "Who is it? The Fat Man." In case any youngsters read this, in the old days, many drugstores had penny scales where you could get weighed and your fortune told on a little card.

Reviewer: XMinusOne - - November 23, 2007
Subject: A Good Detective, A Good Series
The Fat Man never crossed the threshold of being one of my favorite OTR series; I always considered it second tier. But, the more I listen to episodes, the more I began to like the writing, and like the acting. The Fat Man, as a character, is kind of what I imagine Nero Wolfe would be like if Wolfe didn't have Archie Goodwin and had to hit the streets himself. A series well worth listening to. Several times.

Reviewer: HowdyDave - - November 21, 2007
Subject: The hero of the 200+ set
Forget about all of those slim, handsome, suave, debonair types of detective.

Here is a real MAN's detective...

The ladies seem attracted to this 239 (or 249 depending on which episode you listen to) pound irresistible he-man too!